Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1887-01-22
SCHOOL INTERESTS NO. 9.

In THIS communication L propose
to speak of the teacher of the public
schools, combining myself in this ar.
ticle mainly to the Importance and
significance OF his position, leaving
the discussion of his qualifications
for future communications.
In every point of view the teachers
work is full of interest. Whether
we look at the material upon which
his work is wrought out, or the mag
nitude and duration of its results,
the theme invites the most earnest
and serious consideration.
How important is the position of
teacher, and how very few appre-
ciate it as they should He is en-
gagged IN a noble cause,-a cause
that is emphatically one of the lead
lug interests of the community. It's
present interests, and its relation to
the great future underlie all other
interest. But its benefits and its
blessings eau only be secured and
perpetuated by the united co-opera-
ton of all parties concerned to carry
out the system in all its ramifica-
tions. In accomplishing this, the
teacher is a very prominent and in
dispensable factor.
The teacher is the life of school
if he is what he ought to be. The
authority with which he is invested
is delegated to him by his employ
ers,-the trustees directly, and the
patrons indirectly, and is sacred
trust. He assumes q great RESPONSE
bility by thus becoming a co-laborer
with parents in the physical, intel.
lectuai and moral training of their
children. He is accountable to his
employers, parents and pupils, and
to God for the proper performance
OF his duty, inasmuch as he has vol.
unfairly accepted the position OF CO
educator of immortal beings. The
unsullied sheet is placed in his
hands, and on it he may, by his
work, indite the character which, in
future years, shall burn and shine to
be read by all. He is, therefore, en-.
gagged in shaping the immortal mind.
While the mechanic works in wood,
iron or brass which cannot endure,
he moulds the mind which must last
forever. He has committed to his
training those who live after he is
III his grave, and who will still bear
the impress he has made upon them
as long as they live.
The world does not sufficiently
appreciate the vocation of a teacher.
1t passes him by with a cool defer.
ence and little show of regard, not
thinking that to him may be attri-
buted the success and greatness Of
many OF those who stand high in
the worlds favor.
There is scarcely school boy who
has not read of Alexander the Great,
the mighty chieftain who conquered
the world, but how many knew of
his teacher who made Alexander
what he was. Could we look into
the operations of those early influ-
ences by which the teacher shaped
and moulded the intellect of the
young Macedonian, we might say
that it was only the teacher repro
duced in another form,-that Arts
totle lived in Alexander. Thomas
Arnold, the head teacher at Rugby,
not many years ago, and now in his
grave, exerts more potent influence
probably than any other man in
Great Britain. Of him it may truly
be said, " though he is dead, yet he
speaketh."
Teachers having such influences
in their hands need to be fully awake
to the magnitude ofthe interests COM
mitted to them. 1t is no mere child's
play. They are engaged in the dis
charge of duties that may well tax
every mental energy and every NOR.
al quality. If the teacher wishes to
magnify his Office in the estimation
of the popular mind, he must be
energetic and enthusiastic to de-
gree. His whole heart must be in
the work.
In his profession the teacher often
finds much to lament and much to
deplore. He is often led to fear that
his labor is lost, and that his crosses
will never be succeeded by cro,cns.-i
Fellow teacher, be not dismayed or
cast down. Your laudable efforts
will not be in vain. The good seed
which you have sown will some time
or another terminate, bud and bios
som, and yield an abundant harvest.
Do not succumb to the deadly sir
rocco, or the Sitting sand but remem.
Der that there is many Oasis of rest
and verdure ofrefreshment. o faint
ing traveller 60 on thy pilgrimage
patiently and with renewed strength,
for thy mission is invested with a
moral glory and grandeur indestructi
BILE and eternal. I have met many
of the thousands who were my pupils
in former years, and the friendly
grasp of the hand, and the grateful
expressions of gratitude for instruc-
ton and counsel gwen them while
under my care, have been music to
my ears and JOY to my heart.
WIN. GERHARDT.